GROSVENOR TEACHER FELLOWS

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The Professional Learning Opportunity of a Lifetime

The Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship (GTF) is a professional learning opportunity for pre-K–12 educators made possible through a collaboration between Lindblad Expeditions and the National Geographic Society. Through a comprehensive application process, we select exemplary educators to host aboard Lindblad Expeditions’ voyages for a life-changing, field-based experience. Grosvenor Teacher Fellows transfer their onboard experience into transformative ways to teach students, engage colleagues, and bring new geographic awareness into their learning environments and communities. Fellows also take on a two-year ambassador commitment to support National Geographic’s education initiatives. Throughout their commitment, Fellows may be asked to conduct webinars, co-design resources, participate in meetups, collaborate with our Explorer-led programs, and serve as mentors to other educators. The fellowship was founded by Sven-Olof Lindblad in honor of Gilbert M. Grosvenor, chairman emeritus, National Geographic Society, in recognition of his decades-long work supporting pre-K–12 educators and promoting geography education across the United States and Canada.
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Grosvenor Teacher Fellows are an integral part of the National Geographic community, working to further young people’s understanding of the planet and empower them to generate solutions and take action for a healthier and more sustainable future. They help ensure that the next generation is armed with geographic knowledge and global awareness.
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Explore 2025 Expedition Regions

2025 Expedition Itineraries

Testimonials

See what Fellows have to say about their experiences!

2023 Fellow

Willie Buford

“I cultivated curiosity in my young people by sharing the culture of being unified by both diversity and gratitude. Both themes from the two nations I explored. Young people were able to see the interconnectedness in community building, and how they could use that concept to fit the needs of their local community.”
2023 Fellow

Jander Talen

“Since I had the opportunity to be a student and take the posture of a learner on the expedition, I was more clearly able to see what it is that breeds success in getting people to appreciate and love various aspects of our natural world. What our naturalists, crew and instructors did for us, I'm able to replicate for my students in our local setting!”
2023 Fellow

Helen Corveleyn

“I just wanted to express my gratitude for this experience. It is a life changing, AMAZING outreach and renewal for educators. Every step of the way I felt lifted, honored and appreciated. I am so very grateful to the team of people that make connections, plan and execute this program. I will recommend it to all teachers from now until forever! I look forward to collaborating and sharing the Explorer Mindset as I continue to educate young people. Thank you so very much.”
2024 Fellow

Drew Holtmann

“I almost didn't submit an application because I didn't think I'd be qualified or experienced enough ... I'll put those thoughts aside and always submit applications for opportunities in the future… [because] Geography, and its associated disciplines, needs to be seen, heard, felt, and tasted. Our young people deserve teachers who have experienced what they're teaching, and an experience like Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship is worth more than volumes of textbooks.”
2023 Fellow

Sandra Makielski

“I can't begin to say how thankful I am for this opportunity. I had no idea how impactful this adventure would be on me personally and professionally. I look at the world so differently now that I have been to one of our poles. I can only hope other teachers will have similar opportunities in the future.”
2024 Fellow

Kirsten Salonga

“Because of this journey, I am better able to explain how human and natural systems affect one another, especially with regards to native lands…I gained much in watching the naturalists’ presentations: I especially appreciate the different perspectives in how to present scientific information to a wide audience in a way that is both engaging and informative.”

Become a Fellow

The Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship seeks...

…a cohort of educators that brings together a myriad of perspectives, skills and experience

…educators who represent diverse backgrounds, teaching experience, content areas and disciplines

…educators with an Explorer Mindset who are changemakers, community builders, and exhibit a cultural consciousness

How do we define changemaker, community builder, and a cultural consciousness?

Changemaker

You are an educator who demonstrates a commitment to making the world a better place in your school or community. You pursue bold ideas, problem solve, and persist in the face of challenges.

Community Builder

You create and foster a learning community committed to taking positive action to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world, and you share stories and experiences that inspire others.

Cultural Consciousness

Your values and instruction reflect a sense of responsibility and respect for other people, cultures, and the natural world as well as the interconnectedness between them.

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How to Apply

Fellows are expected to be active and engaged members of the Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship over the course of the expedition year and the year following. This includes participating in an in-person preparatory workshop, tentatively scheduled for April 9-13, 2025 in Washington, DC, as well as periodic virtual meetups.Fellows are also expected to serve as ambassadors of the Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship in all professional settings.

In addition, throughout the course of the program year, Fellows are required to submit a number of professional development deliverables to National Geographic. Deliverables include goal setting, outreach and classroom action plans, media and data collection, ongoing surveys, outreach presentation(s), and outreach documentation. Fellows will receive detailed information about all required deliverables after their selection into the program is confirmed. All required deliverables are intended to help educators incorporate their field-based experience into their teaching practice and share it with their professional and community networks.

  • You are currently a full-time pre-K–12 classroom or informal educator who spends 50% or more of your time working directly with students
  • You are a resident of the 50 U.S. states, Canada, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or are a U.S. citizen teaching at a U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity school
  • You are returning to a classroom or teaching environment the year following the expedition
  • You are able to fully participate in all elements of the two-year fellowship (including the April pre-expedition workshop, expedition and virtual seminars)
  • Past Grosvenor Teacher Fellows are ineligible to apply again

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you are encouraged to apply!

The goals of the Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship are for educators to:

  • Gain firsthand experiences and knowledge of the interconnectedness of the human and natural world.
  • Integrate their experiences as Grosvenor Teacher Fellows into their teaching in an effort to create more globally-minded students who are empowered to take action.
  • Grow as leaders and ambassadors.

Click here to view a visual timeline

  • September 24, 2024: Application opens
  • November 14, 2024 (2:00 pm EST): Application closes
  • Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email AND a verification form will be sent to your employer. This form is due no later than 2:00 pm EST, November 21, 2024.
  • The 2025 Cohort will be selected and notified no later than February 28, 2025. All other applicants will receive an email after the cohort is finalized.
  • The 2025 Cohort will be announced in mid-April 2025.

Application FAQs

The application launches each fall, and final decisions are made in or around February of the following year.
Applicants should be themselves. Reviewers are not looking for the best produced or edited video. They are looking to see how applicants let their personalities shine through.

Applicants should select all the dates that they are available to travel. We strongly encourage applicants to discuss the dates with their administrators and supervisors before submitting their application. Departure dates and locations cannot be changed once applicants are notified of their selection.

Due to the high number of applications received, we are unable to provide feedback on specific submissions.
Applicants are not disqualified nor are they awarded additional consideration due to similar professional learning experiences. An applicant should discuss how this opportunity would be different than previous experiences and how they will apply it with their students and and learning community.
Applicants’ prior involvement with National Geographic does not affect their score or chance of being selected; however, we do ask about their previous engagement to gain a better understanding of their work.

Fellowship FAQs

Grosvenor Teacher Fellows travel on a voyage with Lindblad Expeditions; attend a pre-expedition workshop tentatively scheduled at National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C.; take part in various professional learning experiences to build a community of practice and to support implementation of a set of deliverables; and serve as education ambassadors to support the work of education across National Geographic.

The Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship will cover costs associated with the pre-expedition workshop in Washington, D.C., including substitute reimbursement, lodging and workshop expenses, as well as travel to and from the workshop. The Fellowship will also cover air travel to and from the expedition as well as expenses for the expedition itself.

The Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship will not cover substitute costs associated with the expedition or additional expenses as part of the expedition, such as gratuities to ship’s crew (at traveler’s discretion), passport expenses, items of a personal nature (such as global gallery purchases, alcoholic beverages, wellness treatments, gear), meals that are not a part of the expedition or transfer between home and airport.

Shipboard Experience FAQs

Lindblad Expeditions welcomes travelers of all types – those traveling aboard ship for the first time and seasoned travelers – and does a fantastic job of tailoring the experience and supporting our fellows to ease any concerns.

While there may be opportunities for fellows to collect data and engage in citizen science opportunities while they’re on board, Lindblad Expeditions does not operate research vessels. Visit expeditions.com/about for more information about Lindblad Expeditions and the shipboard experience.

Swimming and snorkeling are optional activities, so fellows do not necessarily need to know how to swim.
The Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship is a professional learning opportunity; therefore, fellows are not permitted to bring friends or family members on the expedition with them.

You will be traveling with 1-4 other Grosvenor Teacher Fellows in addition to staff, such as naturalists and crew, as well as paying guests. Please note that the cabin space is double occupancy and shared with one other fellow.

All Grosvenor Teacher Fellows are required to attend a tentatively scheduled pre-expedition workshop at National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C. where they will receive extensive information on how best to prepare for the experience including, but not limited to, what to pack, what to expect on board, and how to maximize the expedition experience for the benefit of their students, schools, and communities.

Learn more about the Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship at http://www.natgeoed.org/gtf

Start your application today, and submit it before the November 14 deadline!
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Have Additional Questions?

The National Geographic Education team is here to help!

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Organizations

National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. We’ve developed the Explorer Mindset Learning Framework to inspire pre K-12 learners through, a competency-based framework that outlines the unique Attitudes, Skills, and Knowledge (ASK) that Explorers embody. We also offer best-in-class resources, experiences, and programs that teach students about the world and how it works, empowering them to succeed and make it a better place. We educate by sparking curiosity, imparting knowledge through storytelling, and empowering action. We inspire the next generation of global citizens to discover the world’s past, celebrate its present, and protect its future.

Lindblad Expeditions

Lindblad Expeditions is a pioneer and global leader in journeys of deep discovery, providing immersive and authentic ship expeditions to the world’s most remarkable destinations. Lindblad offsets 100% of carbon emissions from their business and is committed to provide travelers with experiences that highlight nature, preserve culture and support local communities and artisans. In collaboration with National Geographic, Lindblad delivers unmatched expertise, bringing together leading scientists, naturalists and researchers to inspire travelers, highlighting moments that elevate the soul, fostering a lifelong passion for the planet and its people.
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Sponsored By

A generous donation from Suzanne P. Smith

In Collaboration With

Photo credits (from top of page): Lindblad Expeditions (hero and region photos), Willie Buford, Helen Corveleyn, Sandra Makielski, Jander Talen, Drew Holtmann, Kirsten Salonga, Alexandra Daley-Clark (3)

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